JMM opposes Modi’s visit before by-poll

Ranchi: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday wrote to the Election Commission opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jharkhand just before the Littipara assembly by-poll on April 9.

Modi is scheduled to arrive in Sahebganj district and the lay foundation stone of a bridge over the Ganga river.

“PM Modi will lay foundation stone of the bridge on Ganga river, distribute one lakh mobile phones among women, distribute appointment letters to Pahadia tribe battalion and other things. Such activities are to lure the voters of Littipara assembly,” JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya, who has also written to the EC, told reporters.

“We demand the EC should look into the issue to conduct free and fair poll. The Prime Minister’s visit would make an impact and it should be rescheduled after the assembly by-poll,” the JMM leader said.

Littipara assembly seat is the bastion of the JMM and the party has been winning the seat for the last 30 years.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand is making efforts to make inroads into the JMM bastion in the by-poll.